Description
In the wild this is a native of moist, wooded mountainsides in the colder regions of Japan (Honshu and Hokkaido) and Russia (Sakhalin) with rumours of its occurrence in China (where it’s identity may however be being confused with D. sinensis) . It is deciduous and has no leaves or top growth in winter but each spring it makes a very unequally-sized pair of large, distinctly umbrella-shaped leaves which are held below a small cluster (technically a cyme) of moonstone-white blossoms.
As if this is not enough, you have the bonus that this superb shade plant creates a real focal point with magnificent foliage and an extra bonus of eye-catching, bright blue berries held on red stalks, in early Autumn before the plant dies down and becomes dormant.
The flowers of this species have been the subject of a lot of internet attention for their extraordinary behaviour when they get wet! The petals become totally colourless, transparent and glass-clear, when rain hits them. As they dry, then the flowers become opaque and white again. The name “Skeleton Flower” has been coined for the species as a result of this. I has to be said that the transformation is quite magical and the result of water on the flowers is enchanting.
Do please though, make sure that you understand what kind of a plant this is it isn’t a plant for pots, it isn’t a house plant in any way, it will not live in your kitchen or bathroom, it needs to be outside in the garden in the right conditions where it then needs to be left undisturbed, to establish its annual cycle of spring growth and autumn-winter dormancy.
This loves part-shade, a cool root run, lots of humus at the roots and good moisture with decent drainage (and not standing water) and a lack of disturbance. In a light woodland-type situation this is all that this requires and it makes a magnificent companion plant for Trillium, Paris, dwarf ferns and woodlanders generally. In common with many Trillium, this also likes a season or two, to settle down to flowering. It needs to establish deeper roots and so it frequently misses flowering for a season after transplanting. Please be warned, there is nothing wrong with your plants and you are not doing anything wrong, it simply needs time and patience.
